Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchanger

A shell-and-tube heat exchanger transfers heat between two fluids without allowing them to come into direct contact. It consists of a bundle of parallel tubes enclosed within a cylindrical shell. One fluid flows through the tubes, while the other flows around the outside of the tubes within the shell. This design is particularly well suited for high temperatures, high pressures, and high heat duties.

Use in industrial and large-scale heat pumps

In industrial heat pumps, particularly high-temperature and large-scale heat pumps, shell-and-tube heat exchangers can be used primarily as evaporators and condensers. In the evaporator, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the heat source and evaporates. Potential heat sources include industrial waste heat, waste heat from flue gases, and river water. In the condenser, the refrigerant releases the heat it has absorbed and that has been raised to a higher temperature level, transferring it to the process or heating medium before condensing back into a liquid.

Characteristics of shell-and-tube heat exchangers

• Suitable for high-pressure and high-temperature applications
• High performance at high heat duties
• Robust and durable design
• Suitable for liquids and gases, including applications involving phase changes

Good accessibility for cleaning and maintenance

Shell-and-tube heat exchangers are among the most important types of heat exchangers used in the process industries. They are used wherever heat must be transferred reliably under demanding operating conditions.